FIJI 6 39 



and 33,098 in excess of the original estimate. The expenditure for 1911 amounted to 

 265,347, which was 28,686 in excess of 1910. The principal increase in expenditure was 

 for Public Works Extraordinary. 



Trade. The bulk of the colony's trade continues to be conducted through Australia 

 and New Zealand. The total trade during 1911 amounted to 2,233,285. In 1910 the 

 figures were 1,833,847. The total trade with the United Kingdom and British posses- 

 sions, which is 88 per cent of the total trade, increased from 1,747,283 in 1910 to 2,138,827 

 in 1911. An extraordinary increase in the quantity of green fruit exported is noticeable. 

 This is due to the fact that the banana industry was not in 1911 affected by any serious 

 cyclonic disturbance. The total area of land under sugar cane in December 1911 was es- 

 timated at 43,358 acres, from which was produced 488,534 tons of sugar cane. The es- 

 timated cultivated area under banana and pine apples was 4,692 and 230 acres respectively. 

 The area under coco-nuts was estimated at 37,562 acres. The principal minor export in 

 1911 was trocas shell, locally known as "sici." It is found abundantly on the reefs sur- 

 rounding the greater part of the colony and is exported for use principally in France and 

 Japan for the manufacture of buttons. It was placed on the list.fpr the first time in 1910 

 and the export for 1911 amounted to 14,252 in value. 



Government. Sir Francis Henry May, K.C.M.G. was appointed Governor of Fiji and 

 High Commissioner for the Western Pacific in 1911, to succeed Sir Everard im Thurn, 

 K.C.M.G., C.B., who retired in 1910. In 1912 Sir Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott, K.C.M.G. 

 succeeded Sir F. H. May, who was appointed to the governorship of Hongkong. ,,.. ,' , f 



Among legal enactments during 1910 and 1911 was an ordinance providing for the 

 raising of a loan of 100,000 for the reclamation of the Suva harbour, and of harbour works 

 at Suva and of works for the general sanitation of the town. Other ordinances relate to the 

 taxation of buildings, the extension of restrictions regarding the sale of spiritous liquors, 

 and the consolidation and amendment of laws relating to lepers and the constitution of a 

 Central Board of Health. 



Education. During 1911 a special grant of 300 was allowed the Suva Public School 

 for building purposes. The school has five teachers with an average attendance of 137.2. 

 The Levuka school has two teachers and an average attendance during 1911 of 142.7. The 

 education of natives is conducted mainly by the Wesleyan and Roman Catholic Missions. 

 The former has 1002 schools with a total attendance of 16,525. The Roman Catholic 

 Mission has 124 schools and in 1911 2293 native children were on the school rolls. The 

 general question of education within the Colony was the subject of a commission which sat 

 throughout 1909, but the steps to be taken are still under consideration. 



Judicial. The total number of offences reported to the police was 6160, which was 14 

 more than in 1910. Of these reported offences 776 were offences against the person, 372 

 larceny, 141 offences against property (other than larceny), and the greater portion of the 

 balance were offences against labour laws by indentured labourers. 



Climate. The rainfall recorded at Suva during 1911 was 108.346 inches. In the previous 

 year the rainfall was 107.812 inches. The greatest rainfall in any one day throughout the 

 year was 15.907 inches on November I2th. 



Shipping. The number of vessels visiting the Colony during 1911 was 151 with a tonnage 

 of 295,477 as against 140, with a tonnage of 262,273 in 1910. 



GILBERT 1 AND ELLICE 2 ISLANDS PROTECTORATES 



The population of these Protectorates in 1910 was about 30,000 of whom 150 were 

 Europeans and 50 Asiatics. The natives are nearly all engaged in the copra industry but 

 about 700 are employed by the Pacific Phosphate Company at Ocean Island and 100 by the 

 owners of Fanning Island. An epidemic of dysentry caused a heavy death rate in 1908-09. 

 The financial statement for 1910 showed an excess of liabilities over assets amounting to 

 5966. This adverse balance was caused by the purchase of the S. S. "Tokelau" and the 

 erection of several residences for Government officials in 1909. The trade of the Gilberts 

 was very much affected during the year by the prevailing drought which reduced the export 

 of copra. But little progress was made during the year, the energy of the native officials 

 being concentrated on combating famine. The export of phosphate of lime from Ocean 

 Island amounted to 166,695 tons as against 119,425 tons in 1909. 



ToNGAN 3 ISLANDS PROTECTORATE 



The population in 1909 was 21,958. The latest report, dated 1910 and issued in 1912, 

 stated that the islands are in a satisfactory financial and commercial condition, a condition 

 of affairs brought about by the absence of drought and hurricane for a number of years. 

 The general revenue for 1910 amounted to 44,007 as compared with 40,456 in 1909. 

 The expenditure for these years amounted to 42,617 and 34,739 respectively. The im- 

 ports in 1910 totalled 160,543 f s against 152,870 in 1909 and the exports 245,946 in 

 1910 as compared with 217,155 in the previous year. The trade of the Protectorate could 

 be considerably increased if the native government exercised a more efficient administra- 

 tion and made provision for an adequtae supply of labour. Climate and soil are greatly 



1 See E. B. xii, H. 2 See E. B. ix, 291. 3 See E. B. xxvii, 3. 



